Minnesota Vikings CB earns honorable mention in league wide poll about best at position
ESPN finished its top-10 list with cornerbacks. Although he didn't land in the top 10, Byron Murphy Jr. received an honorable mention, with one executive praising him for his increased versatility in playing both inside and outside.
"He made a lot of plays last year. You have to give him credit. He was seen as more of an inside guy to start his career, but he's on the outside and producing in a big way." -- NFL personnel evaluator
Murphy is looking to build on his 2024 season, where he received his first Pro Bowl invitation after intercepting six passes, the most by a Vikings cornerback since 1998. If the other cornerbacks can step up, the Vikings' defense should be among the league's best.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
Ndamukong Suh believes he should have been paid more in Detroit than Matthew Stafford
One of the better defensive linemen in not only recent Lions history, but recent NFL history, Ndamukong Suh recently announced his retirement after 13 seasons, having been out of the league since playing part of the 2022 season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Not long after his retirement, Suh is making headlines again, following a recent quote that has generated some buzz. Suh was looking back at his first free agency and, sharing on his Facebook page, said he believed he should have been paid more by the Lions than quarterback Matthew Stafford, feeling like he wasn't valued as much by the Lions. "Detroit, in my opinion, when I first came out, really gave me the short end of the stick," Suh said, via CBS Sports. "I should have been paid more than Matthew Stafford, because I was the next first-round pick for them coming out in the draft and I felt like I was going to be a cornerstone for them, but they didn't value me enough to say, 'Hey, you're not going to get paid more than our quarterback...'" Suh captioned the Facebook post with the following: I was a cornerstone of the Detroit Lions, just like Stafford, just like Calvin, but the pay never matched the weight I carried. I wasn't just a defensive tackle. I was the guy offenses game-planned for. I was the one of the guys setting the tone in the locker room and on the field. And while quarterbacks get the big checks, I was the one putting my body on the line every play, chasing down QBs. They built the offense around him,They built the identity of the defense around the Dline and me! You don't talk about the Lions of that era without mentioning Calvin Johnson or Matthew Stafford, myself and our Dline! So yeah… I believed I should've been paid like them, Because impact isn't just about stats, it's about presence, influence, folks wanting to play with you and for you ! Lesson… If you're carrying the load, on the field or in business, don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth. Because being valuable and being valued are two different things!!!! In five seasons with the Lions, Suh started 78 games in the regular season (all but two), recording 238 tackles and 36 sacks. He even had an interception his rookie season. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year, went to the Pro Bowl four times and was a three-time First-team All-Pro while in Detroit. Ultimately, the Lions did not pay him, as Stafford and Calvin Johnson were first in line for extensions, having both been drafted before Suh (Stafford in 2009, Johnson in 2007). Suh would sign a six-year, $114 million deal with the Miami Dolphins before the 2015 season. Suh would also go on to play for the Los Angeles Rams (2018), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-2021) and Philadelphia Eagles (2022).
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin shares his feelings on Minkah Fitzpatrick trade at training camp
Excitement is building at Steelers training camp — but sadly, former safety Minkah Fitzpatrick won't be part of it. Part of a blockbuster trade that saw the Steelers acquire All-Pro CB Jalen Ramsey and Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith from the Dolphins, Fitzpatrick's absence in Latrobe was deafening — and HC Mike Tomlin wasted little time addressing the elephant in the room. When speaking with reporters at Wednesday's press conference, Tomlin was asked how difficult it was to trade a player who meant so much to the Steelers' defense — and this was his response: "Very difficult," Tomlin said. "His experience here and the production that he gave us speaks for itself. But you've got to make tough choices, and obviously I've been talking glowingly about two top-notch players we acquired in that [trade]. But I don't lessen the impact of a player like Minkah." It's safe to say Tomlin, while disappointed in losing a player he was very close to, is eager to see Smith and Ramsey in action after the blockbuster deal. One has to wonder if there's any resentment from Fitzpatrick — as he seemed ready for a bounce-back year with Pittsburgh, based on his comments at minicamp. If there are even slightly any hard feelings, we'll find out for certain when Miami heads to Pittsburgh in Week 15 for Monday Night Football — an action-packed matchup with potential playoff implications late in the season. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Boston Globe
an hour ago
- Boston Globe
John Streicher is Mike Vrabel's version of Ernie Adams, and that's not all: ‘This guy is going to run an organization one day'
But that does a disservice to both, particularly Streicher. The 35-year-old is a rangy 6-foot-7-inch former high school basketball player who defines the term 'football multitasker.' Advertisement Whether it's engaging with players while bouncing from one position group to another, taking notes and relaying information to and from the head coach, or keeping a close eye on a drill, Streicher has versatility as a coach and administrator. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up You combine that with an already impressive résumé, a thirst for innovation, and a world-class ability when it comes to recall, and it's easy to understand why he's already considered 'a rising star' in the NFL, according to Rams coach Sean McVay. 'This guy has checked every box, and continues to progress in his career,' said McVay, who had Streicher as the Rams' game-management coordinator for the 2024 season. 'He's made a tremendous difference, a tremendous impact with everyone he's around. He's absolutely someone who is a rising star in this profession. Advertisement 'I think that what you understand about Ernie, there's a respect and influence and reverence, and you saw that in how much Bill relied on him because of how smart and informed Ernie was. I never met Ernie, but I can say that when you look at Stretch and his ability to impact change, there's some comparison here. His ability to understand the game from an all-22 perspective is an incredible tool.' John Streicher worked out with a Rams player during a practice in 2024. Brevin Townsell/ LA Rams Streicher speaks cautiously but warmly, with a certain Midwestern ease. Talking to him for a few moments, it's easy to see why he's developed a legion of fiercely loyal supporters. When approached for comment for this story, at least one of his friends checked with Streicher to see if it was OK. 'He's such a great person,' said Everett Withers, a coach who worked with Streicher at multiple stops, including Ohio State. 'And he knows his [stuff].' Streicher's relationship with Vrabel is at the heart of his football journey. 'He's meant a lot to me,' said Vrabel, who called Streicher his 'best friend' in 2022. 'He's meant a lot to the success that we had in Tennessee. His growth, in this business of NFL football, the connections that he makes with our staff and our players. 'They know that he's an extension of me. If they need to, maybe they don't have a strong enough connection with me to say something, they'll certainly be able to find an avenue with Stretch as a point of contact.' 'He had all the facts' As a teenager, Streicher was more into basketball than football. A native of Cincinnati, he played two years on varsity at Oak Hill High School. His high school coach, Mike Price, said Streicher considered a partial scholarship to Marian University, but opted to attend Ohio State. Advertisement Streicher didn't play in college. He started as an equipment manager for the Buckeyes, and became a student assistant coach before graduating in 2012 with a degree in animal science. (He added a graduate degree two years later in community leadership.) Each assistant coach had an assistant of their own. Ron Miles, who went on to work as a Patriots scouting assistant, was with Vrabel; Streicher was paired with Withers, who coached at Ohio State from 2012-13. While other student assistants were able to land some extra amenities — Jen Vrabel made sure Miles had an inflatable bed, for example — Streicher found other accommodations. 'Stretch lived in a damn broom closet,' Withers said. It was that sort of sacrifice that distinguished Streicher in Columbus. And while people praised his willingness to embrace the grunt work, it was his ability to remember everything that allowed him to stand out. Everett Withers (left) and John Streicher threw out first pitches in Texas in 2017. Courtesy/Everett Withers 'We all know the guys who are like the 'Stump the Schwab' guys,' said Tyler Carpenter, who became friendly with Streicher when the two were together as student managers. 'He was one of those guys. He had all the facts.' Streicher's connection with Vrabel was cemented when the former Patriots linebacker would spend Tuesday nights in the office talking football. That progressed to having Streicher and Miles house-sit for Vrabel when the coach would take his family to baseball tournaments. The moment Miles realized Streicher was a different breed was at the end of the 2013 Ohio State-Michigan game. The Wolverines scored with 32 seconds left to cut the Buckeyes' lead to 42-41, and were set to go for 2. Miles said Streicher was able to recall earlier in the year when Michigan was in the same spot. Advertisement 'We called the coverage that rolled a safety down to that side of the field, and [Tyvis Powell] was right there,' Miles said. ' 'I remember thinking, 'Son of a gun, this dude is going to be good.' ' Learning and growing While Vrabel left to join the Texans, Streicher followed Withers from Ohio State to James Madison in 2014, and to Texas State two years after that. Every step was marked with an innovative approach, a fastidious attention to detail, and that same upbeat attitude. But there was always the understanding among everyone that when — not if — Vrabel became a head coach, Streicher would be one of his first hires. So when Vrabel was named head coach of the Titans in 2018, Withers wasn't surprised Vrabel reached out. 'I knew exactly what the call was about,' Withers said. 'I think Mike — all along — had an eye on Stretch, that when something came up bigger than what I could offer, then Mike was going to come to him.' Streicher spent six seasons in Tennessee from 2018-23, leaving his fingerprints in just about every aspect of the operation. He dissected game film with players, managed coaches' schedules, and even stepped in for Vrabel on the sideline when he was out with COVID in 2021. But that journey came to an end when Vrabel got fired in January 2024. Vrabel spent a year as a consultant with the Browns while Streicher took a job with McVay and the Rams. Advertisement 'He's so smart, and has such great wisdom and poise for his age,' McVay said. 'His value on game day was especially awesome. I remember always being impressed by Tennessee from afar when it came to the way they handled things.' McVay pointed specifically to end-of-half and end-of-game situations, as well as Streicher's communication skills, as his biggest strengths. 'He was able to help create clarity for the players on what they needed to do and when,' McVay said. 'And he did such a great job educating me and being very clear. He was always so clear; just a clarity and a courage and poise — especially on game day — that I really respected.' McVay also knew it was just a matter of time before Vrabel got another head coaching job … which meant Streicher would be on the move. When Vrabel was hired by the Patriots, the call came once again. McVay could have prevented Streicher from leaving but knew it was more than football. 'He's Mike's guy,' said McVay. 'The thing that struck me was that Stretch earned the opportunity to have a significant role in New England. There are just a lot of things in alignment there, with where he wanted to continue to progress. It's a cool option for him. 'We didn't get better by losing him. We were only fortunate to get him because of what happened in Tennessee. Mike has always been good to me, I thought it was the right thing to do.' 'This guy is going to run an organization' As McVay suggested, it seems Streicher will be in New England for the near future. But it's natural to wonder about the next step. Advertisement Adams tied himself to Belichick for the duration of his career with the Patriots, and the relationship between Vrabel and Streicher suggests the same. But would a bigger job offer for Streicher — such as the chance to run his own team — ever preclude that possibility? He's acknowledged that it's his desire to be an NFL general manager, and those who know Streicher say that could happen sooner rather than later. 'This guy is going to run an organization one day. He's going to be a GM or a president of an organization one day. I don't have any doubt in my mind,' Withers said. 'I personally don't see Stretch as a coach. I see him bigger than that.' In the meantime, Streicher's friends agree that the most impactful Patriots pickup of the offseason was a former high school basketball star who won't catch a pass or throw for a touchdown. 'They're getting a very loyal guy who is very smart. He's down to earth with very little ego. Whatever needs to get done, he gets it done,' Withers said. 'He's one of those guys who will do everything to help the Patriots organization win a Super Bowl.' Christopher Price can be reached at
